How Toyota Captured the #1 Market Share . . . Through Solid Decision-Making!

How Toyota Captured the #1 Market Share . . . Through Solid Decision-Making!

Toyota is arguably one of the most recognizable brand names in the world. Toyota captured the Number 1 spot in automotive sales, by creating high standards for quality, reliability and customer acceptance.

In short, the name Toyota has become synonymous with the standard of excellence to which many aspire.

Reaching this standard didn't happen by accident. It was accomplished by having a consistent and effective decision-making process at every stage of their marketing and product delivery process.

Toyota recently launched a marketing campaign appealing to buyers' personal aspirations. The previous campaign, "Get the Feeling" gives way to "Moving Forward", a series of ads proclaiming Toyota vehicles will be there as drivers hit milestones in life. The company felt they needed a change because customer mind-sets have changed, and their business needed to follow the market.

This shift in direction came about because their marketing strategy was able to identify the strategic keys to the company's future growth and make customer centric decisions. While Toyota may not have used the exact process we are recommending, it is clear by looking at their strategy, they used a concise decision making process.

Seven Keys to Optimal Decision-Making

In the long range goal to achieve a solid market presence, all people in key positions can achieve incredible levels of effectiveness by acting purposefully - by knowing what has to be done - and in getting work done as efficiently and expediently as possible.

Management in most all businesses, lament they have no time to do what they feel they need to do. For example, there are too many emails, priorities that seem to change daily, nano-second reaction to last minute requests, dealing with politics, and much, much more. Guess what? It's not going away. No silver bullets. No magic spells. This is what you have. Get over it.

We are going to describe what you can to do to get your arms around making decisions that obtain optimal results.

Question. Are you certain your decisions will successfully accomplish your vision in the shortest amount of time?

Here are seven key elements that will give clarity to the many decisions you will want to make, for an effective business growth strategy to emerge.

Rule #1: Define the over all purpose in specific - not conceptual - terms. Why It Is Important: To prevent decision overlap. Ramifications if You Don't: You can't measure progress or verify when progress is being made. How To Do It: Develop measurable results in time, dollars and numbers.

Rule #2: Determine specific discussion topics. Why It Is Important: Be certain the decisions made in the session are grounded in reality and moves you toward your long-term purpose. Ramifications if You Don't: You can go down a wrong path and waste everyone's time. How To Do It: Determine that each discussion session has clear identifiable expectations.

Rule #3: Identify subjects NOT related to specific discussion topic. Why It Is Important: It keeps the discussion focused on the specific topic. Ramifications if You Don't: Time and energy is wasted on unrelated issues and are possible landmines upsetting the specific outcome of the session. How To Do It: Prior to meeting, identify important issues and non-issues relating specifically to the topic.

Rule #4: Use permission meter. Why It Is Important: Encourages participants to challenge assumptions, resulting in bold fresh new ideas. Ramifications if You Don't: Participants are analyzed - not ideas. How To Do It: Establish a new dynamic style of thinking on a 1 - 10 scale from brainstorming to analytical to planning styles.

Rule #5 Invite only essential personnel in strategy discussions. Why It Is Important: Gets issues on the table fast and encourages the cross-functional teams to find solutions at the outset. Ramifications if You Don't: Avoids "silo" decision-making as well as loading the session with non-essential personnel. How To Do It: Know how the company works and who is responsible for what.

Rule #6: Compile Background Information. Why It Is Important: Gets all participants on the same page without using valuable meeting time. Ramifications if You Don't: The stated purpose is not fulfilled because time is wasted bringing everyone up to speed. How To Do It: Before meeting, distribute background information necessary to move discussion forward with velocity.

Rule #7: Develop a well thought-out communication plan. Why It Is Important: It ensures all essential personnel have the information they need to be successful. Ramifications if You Don't: All personnel not properly informed will not be in sync with the original decisions. How To Do It: Determine what specific messages are delivered to whom; who needs to know; who will tell them; how they will be told; and by when.

Take a careful look at how your company is making decisions!

When effective decision-making flourishes you get on track towards successfully and effectively achieving your company's vision.

In conclusion, if you follow these 7 golden rules, you will achieve success in ways you never dreamed possible. The key is to instill a reliable and consistent corporate decision-making process to get results like Toyota.

Marney Kaye is a Business Growth Specialist and provides a systematic, step-by-step process designed to develop growth strategies leading clients to take their rightful place in a dynamic and demanding marketplace. Clients who have shown interest in this process include marketers, analysts, heads of start-ups, management consultants, researchers, VCs, journalists, business development directors, trend watchers, and anyone else interested in staying on top of optimal decision-making. With offices outside Toronto, ON and Orlando, FL, Ms. Kaye can be reached at 905-873-6240 or 321-214-9231 http://www.busgrowth.com; mkaye@busgrowth.com

---

Fail Your Way To Small Business Marketing Success!

Are you willing to fail your way to great marketing... Read More

To All Internet Marketers - How To Get My Business?

More and more people are realizing that the Internet offers... Read More

There Are Benefits... And Then There Are Benefits

Not all benefits are created equal. Knowing which ones to... Read More

Provacative Research Works

If you want to double your business, then you need... Read More

Competitive Research and Google

It all started out with an email message: "I am... Read More

Timing and the Right Product Will Make Your Dreams Come True

Are you looking to erase your debt, buy that new... Read More

Are You Marketing Backwards?

Marketing is like rowing a boat. When you know how... Read More

Fundraising Letter Envelopes: How To Make Them Irresistible

Readers spend only a few seconds deciding the fate of... Read More

Trade Show Events ? Do?s and Don?ts

You can love it or you can hate it but... Read More

New Years Planning Critical Success Factors

New Year's is a good time for strategic planning or... Read More

Basic Brand Building

A brand is the essence of who you are. The... Read More

Marketing Tips 101 - Where Can I Get Clients From?

The following tips have come from a wide variety of... Read More

Understanding Survey Software Features

If you take a look at the features that different... Read More

Stretching Your Marketing Dollars--7 Cheap and Easy Ways to Market on a Budget

Just because you have to stretch your marketing dollars doesn't... Read More

Lead Generation: What Is It worth?

Our business environment has changed dramatically. Companies must now be... Read More

Unleash the Power of Post Cards

Direct mail marketing is essential for a business to survive.Choosing... Read More

Ten Deadly Proposal Preparation Pitfalls

Let's face it, the name "proposal" is a great misnomer,... Read More

How To Conduct Effective Online Surveys

Although they are inexpensive and product fast results, online surveys... Read More

Set Your Business Apart With A Unique Selling Proposition

Unless your company has absolutely no competition now or in... Read More

Private Practice Marketing: A Soaking Wet Marketing Marvel

Last week I took our two boys on an all... Read More

Top 5 Ways to Generate Qualified Leads for Your Small Business

Do you ever wonder if you could be doing a... Read More

Promotional Bags: Your Company Details on Parade

The trick to a good promotion is to attach your... Read More

Use a Guarantee In Your Headline To Increase Trust

Sometimes you can use a guarantee effectively in your headline.... Read More

Common Exhibit Marketing Mistakes: Ten Tips on How to Avoid Them

The key to great exhibiting is marketing. But marketing is... Read More

Turbo-Charge Your Viral Marketing- Five Easy Ways

The world of marketing has changed. With increasingly better educated... Read More

Postcard Direct Mail Marketing Tips And Ideas

Postcards are perhaps the least expensive way of reaching a... Read More

Powerhouse Marketing With Persuasive Postcards

The lowly postcard?it's more than just a "having fun, wish... Read More

When The Stars Align - Choosing the Right Entertainment

Savvy event producers follow the Golden Rule: know thy audience.... Read More

Getting More From Your Customer

We are all customers of one product or another. How... Read More

Top 10 Dos and Donts for an Effective Business Referral Network!

Every business - particularly small, entrepreneurial or professional businesses -... Read More

Avoid These 5 Web Site Blunders!

The Web is intended to help people find information quickly... Read More

Marketing Is A Long-Term Investment

"Dig your well before you're thirsty" is the title of... Read More

Pricing Strategies in Marketing

Price is an often overlooked marketing strategy, as many tend... Read More